In the First District Democratic primary, Nadeau handily topped a field of four candidates, winning with 53 percent, or 12,150 votes. His next closest competitor, Manchester lawyer Peter Duffy, gathered 25 percent of the vote with the last two candidates, Bob Bruce and Travis Liles, sharing the remainder.
All the Democrats in the Sept. 14, 2004 primary were political newcomers, but it was clear early on that Nadeau was the party's designated choice. Nadeau also was the fund-raising leader, with $149,000.